Jaguar XFR-S revealed ahead of Los Angeles debut
Jaguar has officially unveiled the XFR-S, its most powerful XF saloon yet, packing a 542bhp supercharged V8 and sharper chassis tuning.
Jaguar has taken the wraps off the XFR-S, confirming its place as the fastest and most powerful XF saloon to date, ahead of its world debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. The new model sits above the standard XFR, borrowing its 5.0-litre supercharged V8 from the XKR-S coupe and introducing a range of chassis and aerodynamic upgrades.
Powertrain and performance
The XFR-S uses the same 5.0-litre supercharged V8 as the XKR-S, producing 542bhp (405kW) and 680Nm of torque. That is a 39bhp increase over the regular XFR. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox, featuring Jaguar’s Quickshift software for faster shifts. The result is a claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.6 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 300km/h (186mph).
Jaguar quotes an estimated combined fuel consumption of 18mpg (US) and CO2 emissions of 270g/km. These figures position the XFR-S as a direct rival for the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, both in performance and efficiency.
Chassis and exterior changes
To cope with the extra power, the XFR-S receives recalibrated Electronic Active Differential and Dynamic Stability Control systems. The car sits on wider 20-inch Varuna forged alloy wheels, which are unique to this model. Suspension has been retuned for sharper handling, and the brakes upgraded to match the increase in performance.
Visually, the XFR-S stands apart from the standard XFR with a deeper front bumper, larger air intakes, extended side sills, a carbon fibre rear diffuser and a prominent rear wing. These changes aim to improve high-speed stability as well as give the car a more aggressive stance.
Market positioning and availability
Jaguar has confirmed the XFR-S will go on sale in mid-2013, with US pricing starting from $99,000. UK and European prices were not detailed at launch. The model is aimed at buyers seeking a more focused alternative to the regular XFR, and brings the XF range closer to the performance levels of Jaguar’s two-door XKR-S.
The XFR-S makes its global debut at the 2012 LA Auto Show, joining a wave of high-performance saloons targeting the US market. For a closer look at the XFR-S in blue, seeNew Jaguar Xfr S Looks Good in Blue.
A Sportbrake estate version would later join the line-up, but at launch, the XFR-S saloon takes the flagship role for the XF range.
